CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — July 23, 2026 — The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awardsprepares to make its highly anticipated return, the 5th Annual Stellar Plus Experience will transform Charlotte into the epicenter of gospel music, faith, culture and entertainment with three immersive days of exclusive events, interactive programming and unforgettable fan experiences. Now in its third year, the Stellar Unplugged Music Experience, presented by Amazon Music in partnership with The R

Courtesy Photo: D. Leon Stokes is an author, speaker, and lifelong learner whose books encourage readers to live with purpose, integrity, and compassion. Drawing from his experiences growing up in Mississippi, moving to Michigan, and building a life rooted in faith and family values, Stokes hopes his work will inspire future generations to lead lives of character and service. Some authors write to entertain readers, while others write to leave a legacy. D. Leon Stokes belongs

(July 22, 2026 – Nashville, TN) – BMIcelebrated the best in Gospel music today at the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards held at BMI’s Nashville office. Multiple award-winning artist and songwriter Kierra Sheard received the BMI Impact Award in recognition of her impressive career and impact on the future of gospel music. Sheard was also honored as BMI’s Gospel Songwriter of the Yearin a three-way tie with her brother J Drew Sheard II and Kerry Douglas. BMI’s Gospel

London, 1935. Dull Richard Hannay encounters a woman who claims to be a spy. When she is suddenly murdered, Richard finds himself falsely accused and the focus of a nationwide manhunt led by a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps.” And the chase is on. Based on the classic 1935 Hitchcock film, this theatrical adaptation is renowned for its ingenious blend of suspense, comedy, and masterful stagecraft. The 39 Steps is a fast-paced, farcical whodunit with four versatile

Acclaimed hip-hop artist 1K Phew releases his highly anticipated album, Any Given Sunday, today. Known for his electrifying delivery and uplifting storytelling, 1K Phew continues to break creative ground with this powerful new project. Any Given Sunday offers a dynamic collection of tracks, pairing infectious beats with authentic, motivational messages. The album reflects 1K Phew’s journey and growth as both an artist and a voice in modern hip-hop, featuring a balance of high

Christian Hip Hop and R&B artist Mike Teezyreleases his highly anticipated new album, CHAMELEON, today - Friday, May 15th. Now available on all digital streaming platforms. The project features the standout singles “Cup of Tea,” “For My Good” featuring Erica Campbell, and “Time 4U” featuring Kierra Sheard. Ahead of the release, Mike Teezy recently surpassed 100 million digital streams across all platforms — a major milestone reflecting both his artistic impact and the growing

Courtesy Photo: Robin M. Pizzo holds two Emmy® Awards for the WKAR series "I Feel" EAST LANSING, MI; June 19, 2026 — Robin M. Pizzo, WKAR director of education, is the recipient of two 2026 regional Emmy® awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan chapter. Pizzo was recognized for the series “I Feel” in the Children/Youth/Teen and Writer-Short Form Content (up to 10 minutes) categories. The short form video series "I Feel" is the brainchild of P

Courtesy Photo: Vera Riley EAST LANSING, MI — Gospel artist Vera Riley is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of the highly anticipated new single, "Thanks!," scheduled to debut across all major digital streaming platforms on July 24th. The track serves as a vibrant anthem of gratitude, celebrating God's goodness and abundant blessings. Penned by Riley herself, the song represents a significant milestone in her musical career. She co-produced the single alongside the ta

LANSING, Mich., July 8, 2026 LCC Performing Arts presents Going Medieval! Two comedic plays from the 1400s. The Second Shepherd’s Play and Mankind represent two of the funniest plays from this period. The Second Shepherd’s Play is one of the most well-known Mystery Plays from the period which depicts the lives of three shepherds just before the nativity. Known for its blend of religious theme and regional humor, this is one of several plays included in the Wakefield Mystery C

So… our youngest daughter is in gymnastics. And her gym? Clear across the other side of Indianapolis. It’s a commute. Instead of driving all the way back home, I’ve started making a stop at the library. Quiet. Focused. A place to reset and create. On one of those days, I went looking for inspiration—flipping through graphic novels and comics—and stumbled across “8 Million Genies.” The premise stopped me cold: What if everyone in the world got one wish… at the same time? Sound

Exciting New Season Premiere SILVER SPRING, MD – June 24 – The beloved duo is back in the kitchen! "Cooking Sessions with Tamar & Ms. E" is returning for its highly anticipated second season. After making history as CLEO TV's highest-performing series debut ever, this hit show will premiere all-new episodes on Wednesday, July 8. Each episode promises to be filled with delicious recipes and even more laughter, hosted by the dynamic Tamar Braxton and Ms. E. New episodes of "Coo

Courtesy Photo: Pictured from left to right are Chatum Taylor, member of the Lansing Community College Board of Trustees; Tanya McClain, Interim Chief Diversity Officer for Lansing Community College’s Office of Empowerment; Yanice Y. Carter, Publisher and Editor of The Chronicle News; Lansing City Council Member Trini Pehlivanoglu; and Shirley Carter-Powell, Founder and Executive Director of Against All Odds Foundation, during The Chronicle News 40th Anniversary Legacy Gala h

Courtesy Photo: 150,000 books. Countless dreams. 📚✨WKAR’s Robin Pizzo and her team continue to put books directly into the hands of children across Mid-Michigan, helping build stronger readers, learners, and communities. 150,000 books into the tiny, curious, precocious and sometimes reluctant hands of children across mid-Michigan was never a goal Robin Pizzo, director of education at WKAR, considered reaching within six years. Yet, with each event she attended as a public me

LANSING, MI — 40 Dubb Podcast, in partnership with The Chronicle News, will release two highly anticipated episodes on Friday, June 19, featuring distinguished Lansing natives Dr. Monica Allen and Mark Stiles. Dedicated to preserving and celebrating the stories, experiences, and legacy of those who grew up in Lansing during the 1970s and 1980s, 40 Dubb Podcast continues to build a digital archive of community voices that helped shape the city and its culture. The June 19 rel

For Angel Taylor, investing in young people is more than a calling, it is a lifelong commitment to building stronger families and communities through education, mentorship, and service. As the leader of the Reading Readiness Summer Camp hosted at Christ’s Kingdom Builders Church and Community Center, Taylor works to create meaningful opportunities for youth to learn, grow, and discover their potential. The free summer program provides academic enrichment, cultural education,

As The Chronicle News celebrates 40 years of serving Mid-Michigan, the organization is also investing in the future through one of its newest youth initiatives: the Chronicle Kids Community Coloring Book. The publication, titled I Know I Can: Real People. Real Careers. Real Possibilities., was created to inspire young readers by introducing them to community leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, educators, public servants, and changemakers who are making a difference throughout th

For Vera Riley, success has never been about choosing between creativity and entrepreneurship. Instead, she has built a path that allows her to embrace both. Known throughout the community for her music and uplifting spirit, Riley has also found success as an independent consultant with Jafra Cosmetics, where she combines beauty, mentorship, and business ownership to empower others. Her journey with Jafra began by watching her mother build a successful career with the company

The Community Catalyst was founded in 2017 by Yanice Carter with a clear mission: to create measurable, community-led change by building bridges between residents, organizations, and local leadership. What began as a grassroots effort in Lansing has evolved into a growing movement centered on collaboration, empowerment, and opportunity. At its core, The Community Catalyst exists to help people move beyond survival mode by connecting them with the resources, education, skills,

Courtesy Photo: DJ, media personality, and entrepreneur Metro Melik will curate the evening’s soundtrack, bringing signature energy, culture, and creativity to the celebration When guests gather to celebrate 40 years of The Chronicle News, they will be welcomed by more than inspiring stories, community leaders, and unforgettable moments. They will also experience a carefully curated soundtrack provided by one of Mid-Michigan’s most recognizable cultural ambassadors, Metro Mel

Art has the power to tell stories, spark conversations, and bring people together. Few artists embody that belief more fully than Sera Renee’. A multidisciplinary artist, creative entrepreneur, and founder of Contrasted Content, Sera Renee’ has built a reputation for creating immersive artistic experiences that challenge perspectives and celebrate human connection. Her work spans painting, body art, public installations, community engagement projects, and live artistic perfor